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125-million-year-old cretaceous furball is oldest known mammal
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This illustration shows Cretaceous mammal Spinolestes xenarthrosus in its natural environment of the Las Hoyas wetland. This fossil is estimated to be 125 million years old, and is preserved with hairs, small spines and some dermal scutes. - photo by Natalie Crofts
CHICAGO A rodent-like specimen that walked on Earth 125 million years ago is the oldest mammal discovered yet.

The discovery is significant because the Spinolestes xenarthrosus fossil, which includes a record of intact guard hairs and hedge-hog like spines in addition to inner organs, is 60 million years older than the specimen that was previously considered to be the oldest known mammal, according to researchers from the University of Chicago.

Spinolestes is a spectacular find. It is stunning to see almost perfectly preserved skin and hair structures fossilized in microscopic detail in such an old fossil, study co-author Zhe-Xi Luo said in a statement. This Cretaceous furball displays the entire structural diversity of modern mammalian skin and hairs.

Evidence of internal organs in the spinolestes includes soft tissues from a liver, lung and diaphragm, according to the study published on Oct. 15 in Nature. The fossil also revealed an external ear lobe and plate-like structures made of keratin.

The early mammal was discovered in 2011 in Spains Las Hoyas Quarry. Researchers from Chicago worked with scientists from the Autonomous University of Madrid and University of Bonn to examine the specimen.

The specimen measured roughly 24 centimeters in length and is estimated to have weighed around 50 to 70 grams, about the size of a modern-day juvenile rat, a release from the University of Chicago reads. Its teeth and skeletal features indicate it was a ground-dweller that ate insects.

Looking at the fossil, researchers were able to determine that the mammal had a fungal skin infection called dermatophytosis. The condition is still prevalent among mammals in modern times.

Overall, the ancient specimen is remarkably modern, according to the study. Its compound follicles and small spines are similar to hedgehogs and African spiny mice. The spinolestes also had a functioning organ system.

With the complex structural features and variation identified in this fossil, we now have conclusive evidence that many fundamental mammalian characteristics were already well-established some 125 million years, in the age of dinosaurs, Luo said.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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